TIP OF THE WEEK – SHARED DNA EXPLAINED IN A TABLE It happens frequently. Someone orders an autosomal DNA test, returns their DNA specimen, and when their results come in, they are confused by what it all means — what is a cM (centimorgan), how significant is this amount of shared DNA, and why does the predicted relationship say this match is a first cousin, when it actually is a great uncle?
In Family Tree Magazine online, I found the basics of DNA matches explained concisely, along with a table titled “Estimating Relationships from Shared DNA”. It all fits on one printed page. A cheat sheet, if you will; it should be helpful to the DNA novice. The table is compact with each row showing:
average shared DNA in cM
average shared DNA in percentages
probable/possible relationship(s) for this amount of shared DNA
If you are interested in learning more about DNA, SGS has two user groups, the DNA Special Interest Group that meets quarterly, and a DNA Workshop Group that meets monthly. See the Calendar of Events on the SGS website for upcoming meetings.
TIP OF THE WEEK – THE FREEDMEN’S BUREAU COLLECTION A bill, passed by U.S. Congress and signed by President Abe Lincoln, established the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands on March 3, 1865. It was part of their plan for reconstructing the post-Civil War South. This bureau, commonly known as the Freedmen’s Bureau, was headed by Union Army General Oliver Otis Howard (Yes, Howard University was named for him). President Andrew Jackson and the Southern States were vehemently opposed to the Freedmen’s Bureau and it was disbanded in 1872.
From 1865-1872, the Freedmen’s Bureau was charged with overseeing the transition to freedom for over 4 million formerly enslaved people, providing assistance to them, as well as to poor whites and veterans displaced by the Civil War.
The 3.5 million records of the Freedmen’s Bureau have long been available on microfiche at the National Archives. Now that these records have been transcribed and digitized, they are searchable, and available for free to everyone via Ancestry. If you are not an Ancestry subscriber, you simply need to open a free Ancestry guest account.
These records may help African Americans trace their family’s history in America.
The scope of these records includes, but is not limited to:
Legalization of marriages entered into during slavery
Labor contracts with land owners
Bounty claims, pensions, and back pay for soldiers
Apprenticeship disputes and complaints
Watch this short video describing the interesting information you can find in this varied collection of records from the Freedmen’s Bureau: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swIrgxVPEnc
Networking is about sharing. It is as important in genealogy as it is in business. At SGS there are two online networking opportunities at your disposal. You can take advantage of either of these without leaving the comfort of your home.
On most Wednesdays, from 10:00 AM until 11:30 AM Pacific Time, “Brags and Bricks”, a SGS special interest group meets via Zoom. Come share your story, share your knowledge, ask a question, ask for help, start a discussion, or just socialize with the group.
Available 24/7, is the Seattle Genealogical Society Networking Group on Facebook. It is a “closed” group, which means anyone on Facebook can find the group, but only members may view the posts or the names of others in the group .
Everyone, SGS member or non-member alike, is welcome. You simply need to request membership by clicking the “Join Group” icon. The group administrator will review your request and respond.
The opening statement for this SGS Networking group on Facebook says, “We invite you to join us for discussions about the collections and events sponsored by the Seattle Genealogical Society & Library, to discuss your current research interests, hunting down records and cemetery research in the PNW, and to socialize with other professionals and hobbyists from Washington and beyond”. So why not submit your “Join Group” request today? SGS Family History Writing Contest There’s still time! The deadline for submitting your entry for this year’s family history writing contest is September 30, 2021. The theme is They Survived and takes its cue from events of the past year and earlier – the pandemic, floods, fires, droughts, heat waves, racial and ethnic strife, and more. Tell us the story of your ancestor and the hardship he or she endured.
First, second, and third place prizes will be awarded. The winning story will be published in the Journal of the Seattle Genealogical Society.
Keep the word count under 3,000, and submit an MS Word document.
Cite your sources as endnotes (interviews, letters, books, websites, censuses, etc.).
Unpublished works are preferred. If your story has been published before, ensure you have permission to republish. Let us know the name and date of publication.
A committee will review all submissions and award prizes. Some entries selected for publication will receive prizes.
Subjects need not relate to Washington, the Pacific Northwest, or the United States.
The committee makes all decisions, and all decisions are final.
Need to talk about your ideas? Email us at publications@seattlegenealogicalsociety.org, and we will get in touch. * SAVE THE DATE * The Genealogical Society of Broward County, “Documenting the Troops: United States Military and Militia Records”, Sunday, September 12, 2021 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM EDT
The Genealogical Society of Broward County, Florida, invites everyone to this free virtual live webinar with Dr Josh Goodman, PhD. The presentation starts at 2:00 PM EDT. Show up at 1:30 PM EDT for a half hour of socializing.
SGS 2021 Fall Seminar – Online with Ari Wilkins Saturday, October 16, 2021, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Mark your calendars now for our all-day seminar!
Ari Wilkins is a genealogist and library associate at Dallas Public Library, where she provides genealogy-programming education. She specializes in African American genealogy and research, with a focus on North Carolina and Louisiana, and has been researching her family history since 1998.
Ari worked with the esteemed genealogist, Dr. James Rose, on his project, “Generations: The WPA Ex-Slave Narrative Database.” She has spoken nationally at the National Genealogical Society, Federation of Genealogical Societies, RootsTech, Texas State Genealogical Society, Ohio Genealogical Society, the Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research, American Library Association, and at a multitude of local societies.
SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS*
The SGS Library is open Tuesdays and Saturdays, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, for computer-based research only. Visit the SGS Website for details. We recommend you plan your visit and call ahead – 206 522-8658. ** Always check the SGS Website Calendar of Events for the meeting links and for any last minute updates or changes to the schedule. Wednesday, Sep 8, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.
Tuesday, Sep 14, 2021, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), back by popular demand, the informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary.
Wednesday, Sep 15 , 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.
Wednesday, Sep 22, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.
Tuesday, Sep 28, 2021, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), back by popular demand, the informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary.
Wednesday, Sep 29, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.
TIP OF THE WEEK – WEBTEMBER Legacy Family Tree is inviting everyone to their free, online genealogy conference. When? Each Friday during the month of September 2021.
Described as “Webtember: All Genealogy. All September Long”, there will be a combination of 30 Live and Pre-recorded webinars. No need to register for the pre-recorded webinars, but if you wish to attend any of the live webinars, please register in advance.
One of the four speakers appearing on Friday, September 17th, is Janice Lovelace, former SGS board member. She will be presenting “Afro-LatinX in the Old West” at 11:00 AM EDT.
SGS MEMBERSHIP MEETING, OCTOBER 9, 2021 at 12:30 PM
The next membership meeting will take place via Zoom on Saturday, October 9, 2021, at 12:30 PM and will be followed by a new Second Saturday Speaker Series presentation at 1:00 PM.
Come hear what’s happening at SGS – the move and the new library space. Not a SGS member? Join online today and enjoy discounted class and event fees, free research requests, special interest groups, and access to exclusive SGS publications and databases, as well as video recordings of some of our past Second Saturday Speaker presentations.
SGS members, have you renewed? Check that by logging in at Members Home.
IMPORTANT CHANGE TO ANCESTRY TERMS & CONDITIONS On August 3, 2021, Ancestry.com announced changes to their Terms and Conditions. Judy Russell, the Legal Genealogist, was concerned enough by the addition of these two words, “perpetual” and “irrevocable”, that she devoted her blog on August 4, 2021, to the subject. In a nutshell and quoted here, what Judy Russell thinks the new terms mean for Ancestry users is :
“In plain English, the rights to use that family photo you posted, that story you wrote and uploaded, that snippet of family history you’ve shared basically now belong to Ancestry. You can continue to use it elsewhere if you wish, since you’re still technically the owner, but you can’t do anything to stop Ancestry from using it any way it wants, forever. That’s a very big change.”
To deflect the flak they were receiving, Ancestry walked it back a bit. They modified their Terms and Conditions yet again on August 5th. “Making Our Terms and Conditions Clearer: Modifications to the August 2021 Update” was the claim and the headline of the release. These two paragraphs in the release explain Ancestry’s position and answer the questions many users had:
“When a user chooses to delete their tree or other content they have contributed, it is removed. However, this clarification to the Terms and Conditions enables Ancestry to allow other users to keep a copy of the previously shared user provided content in their own family trees, even after the original contributor has made their tree private or deleted their content. The change made today further clarifies this point.”
“Part of the Ancestry experience has always been connecting our users and enabling them to share discoveries about their family history with each other. Each user is able to choose the privacy and sharing settings for their family tree. We honor those choices. If a user chooses to share photos, documents, and stories from their tree with the community, we also honor the experience other users have should that tree be made private or user provided content be deleted in the future.”
What this means is if you posted a photo or story as content to your public tree on Ancestry, and you later take that item down, or make the tree private, or delete the tree all together, as long as another user has saved or posted your item to their own tree, then Ancestry continues to have rights to it.
The lesson to be learned here, the experts say, is to always pay attention to terms and conditions of use. And to think very carefully about what you allow to be public. If you would like to read more about this, go to Judy’s blog (the link is below) and search for her entries for August 4 and August 6. Also inserted below is the link to Ancestry’s release about the new terms and conditions.
* SAVE THE DATE *”Back 2 Research”, a Virtual Conference featuring Lisa Louise Cook & Devon Noel Lee, Saturday, September 11, 2021 10:00 am EDT (7:00 am PDT)
Early bird price $19.99 through August 31, 2021. After August 31, 2021 it’s $24.99.
Topics include: * How to Reopen & Work a Genealogical Cold Case * Creating Simple & Complex Clue Webs to Solve Family Mysteries
SGS 2021 Fall Seminar – Online with Ari Wilkins Saturday, October 16, 2021, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Mark your calendars now for our all-day seminar!
Ari Wilkins is a genealogist and library associate at Dallas Public Library, where she provides genealogy-programming education. She specializes in African American genealogy and research, with a focus on North Carolina and Louisiana, and has been researching her family history since 1998. Ari worked with the esteemed genealogist, Dr. James Rose, on his project, “Generations: The WPA Ex-Slave Narrative Database.” She has spoken nationally at the National Genealogical Society, Federation of Genealogical Societies, RootsTech, Texas State Genealogical Society, Ohio Genealogical Society, the Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research, American Library Association, and at a multitude of local societies.
SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS*
The SGS Library is open Tuesdays and Saturdays, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, for computer-based research only. Visit the SGS Website for details. We recommend you plan your visit and call ahead – 206 522-8658. ** Always check the SGS Website Calendar of Events for the meeting links and for any last minute updates or changes to the schedule.
Wednesday, Aug 18, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.
Tuesday, Aug 24, 2021, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), back by popular demand, the informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary.
Wednesday, Aug 25, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists. Wednesday, Sep 8, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.
Tuesday, Sep 14, 2021, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), back by popular demand, the informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary.
Wednesday, Sep 15 , 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.
Wednesday, Sep 22, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.
Tuesday, Sep 28, 2021, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), back by popular demand, the informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary.
Wednesday, Sep 29, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.
TIP OF THE WEEK – NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY GUIDES The New York Public Library (NYPL) is on the short list of top libraries for genealogy research. Anyone who lives, works, attends school, or pays property taxes in New York State can get a library card and visit the library in person, or online. For the rest of us, there is still some good information to be had via the NYPL Local History and Genealogy Research Guides. These guides are available online to anyone. No NYPL library card required. You’ll find dozens of helpful articles. Some titles of guides available on the site are:
Genealogy How-To Books: How a Little Reading Can Save You A Lot Of Time
Genealogy Tips: Searching the Census by Address
Using Maps for Genealogy Research, Parts 1 thru 5
How to Research Dutch Ancestors
Introduction to Polish Genealogy
5 Ways to Research Your Italian Heritage Without Leaving Home
VOLUNTEERS OF SUMMER QUARTER, The LIBRARY and ARCHIVES COMMITTEES Each quarter, the Seattle Genealogical Society recognizes one member as our Volunteer of the Quarter. This quarter we are honoring all the members of our Library and Archives Committees as our Volunteers of Summer Quarter 2021.
Thanks to the diligence of the Library and Archives Committees, the daunting task of preparing the library’s holdings for our upcoming move to The Good Shepherd Center is moving along nicely.
‘Working together for a common goal’
The Library Committee is in the process of taking inventory, culling the collection, and digitizing items. This is to trim the collection to fit the shelving space that will be available in the new location.
Many of the library committee volunteers have been with the group since it officially began in 2013. Sue Jensen has been working on comparing the SGS catalog with what is available at the Seattle Public Library, Open Library, and Google Books to determine the duplicates and online availability of items. She has also been training with Ann Wright to help her with her webmaster duties. Ann has been working on digitization and databases. Dona Bubelis, a retired reference librarian, is also working hard on the databases. Charlotte Wixon has been putting her skills to good use doing book repair, binding, and labeling.
The library has an extensive collection of periodicals. Linda Fitzgerald has been culling these, especially the history items that don’t include genealogical information. The duplicates and culled items are destined to find good homes. The committee has already determined that there are gaps in the holdings of the Seattle Public Library that SGS can fill. SGS’ catalog will direct users to the Seattle Public Library if the needed items are not physically available at the SGS library.
The digitization and indexing efforts are moving along very well, but there is so much work still to be done. Each item, once imaged, has to be checked against the original, organized, prepared for publication, and cataloged. In addition to Ann, Jess Ramey and Ellen Peterson have been working on this and could use extra help. Jess said that volunteering “is a wonderful way to share your life learned skills with others and to make a difference even in a small way.”
These volunteers love their work and are very dedicated to the needs of SGS. And as Ann said, “The best part is coming in and working together for a common goal – that’s what keeps us coming back.”
‘Murders, suicides, romances, joys and sorrows’
If the word “archives” makes you think of musty tomes in the dank basements of county courthouses, think again. SGS has had a vibrant Archives Committee for much of the past decade, and it is anything but musty.
“We support each other, laugh too much and, some say, too loud,” said committee member Nancy Hevly. “We organize histories that read like novels – murders, suicides, romances, joys and sorrows.” Hevly retired in 1991 after nearly 40 years as a writer-editor for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and has been active with SGS in the intervening years.
Pat Younie is another longtime SGS member who’s held numerous leadership roles and was in on the ground floor when the Archives Committee was founded, along with SGS member Ida McCormick. She said she’s “learned lots of little tricks” about researching family history over her years on the committee, but the supportive nature of the group is equally important to her.
Once committee members were vaccinated last January, Younie said, “we met socially at the beach and parks; we would bring a brown bag lunch, a camp chair and have lunch observing the 6-foot rule.” The group has supported each other through medical problems and “good news, bad news, and sad news” about family members. “We’ve created our own little bubble to work in,” Younie said.
And speaking of work, the committee began preparing for the move of the SGS Library months before its reopening earlier this summer. They’ve been painstakingly going through materials, sorting, and deciding where duplicates or other items should be sent. Ingrida Gray, a member since 2013, said she enjoys “learning proper methods to organize and save valuable research material,” including donated family records. Also on the subject of donated family records, long time committee member, Bernice Keller, recalls these records will sometimes contain funny stories, including “black sheep, strange events” and other surprises. Bernice has been a member of SGS for over 20 years and she was Volunteer of the Quarter – Winter 2019.
The work of the Archives Committee won’t end when SGS moves into its new library at the Good Shepherd Center in Seattle’s Wallingford neighborhood. New volunteers are welcome. As Hevly said, “I found my true calling” after responding to a notice seeking new Archives Committee members. “I gained lessons in genealogy from professionals, work that is entertaining as well as educational and, most important, a set of dear friends.”
Again, thanks to all the members of these committees for all their hard work. For information about joining either the Library or Archives Committee, please contact volunteers@seagensoc.org
Ann Wright, Sue Jensen, and Dona Bubelis, members of the Library Committee, collaborate. Remember SGS is a member-driven, volunteer-run organization. We could not continue to operate without the support of our members, and the talents and dedication of our volunteers. * SAVE THE DATE
*SGS 2021 Fall Seminar – Online with Ari Wilkins Saturday, October 16, 2021, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Mark your calendars now for our all-day seminar!
Ari Wilkins is a genealogist and library associate at Dallas Public Library, where she provides genealogy-programming education. She specializes in African American genealogy and research, with a focus on North Carolina and Louisiana, and has been researching her family history since 1998. Ari worked with the esteemed genealogist, Dr. James Rose, on his project, “Generations: The WPA Ex-Slave Narrative Database.” She has spoken nationally at the National Genealogical Society, Federation of Genealogical Societies, RootsTech, Texas State Genealogical Society, Ohio Genealogical Society, the Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research, American Library Association, and at a multitude of local societies.
SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS*
The SGS Library is open Tuesdays and Saturdays, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, for computer-based research only. Visit the SGS Website for details. We recommend you plan your visit and call ahead – 206 522-8658. ** Always check the SGS Website Calendar of Events for the meeting links and for any last minute updates or changes to the schedule.
Wednesday, Aug 4, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.
Tuesday, Aug 10, 2021, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), back by popular demand, the informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary.
Wednesday, Aug 11 , 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.
Wednesday, Aug 18, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.
Tuesday, Aug 24, 2021, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), back by popular demand, the informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary.
Wednesday, Aug 25, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.
MEMBERSHIP SGS members, did you remember to renew? If you have not done so, please take a few moments now to renew your SGS membership. It is our 98th year! When you renew online you can pay your dues with a credit/debit card right away, or print out your invoice and send it with your dues payment to SGS. Log in at Members Home, then go to your Member Profile and click the green “Renew Membership” button. If you have any questions, send an email to membership@seattlegenealogicalsociety.org. Not a member yet? Join online today and enjoy discounted class and event fees, free research requests, special interest groups, and access to exclusive SGS publications and databases, as well as video recordings of some of our past Second Saturday presentations. Find out more about membership at Join SGS.
Attention! All writers of family history stories. The deadline for this year’s SGS Family History Writing Contest has been extended to September 30th.
This year’s theme is They Survived and takes its cue from events of the past year and earlier – the pandemic, floods, fires, droughts, heat waves, racial and ethnic strife, and more. Many of our ancestors also survived such events. Please tell us their stories!
First, second, and third place prizes will be awarded, and your story will be published in the Journal of the Seattle Genealogical Society.
Descendants of Friedrich Muench (1799-1881) gathered at their forefather’s grave in Missouri on the centennial of his birth June 25, 1899.Guidelines for submission:
Keep the word count under 3,000 and submit an MS Word document.
Cite your sources as endnotes (interviews, letters, books, websites, censuses, etc.).
Unpublished works are preferred. If your story has been published before, ensure you have permission to republish. Let us know the name and date of publication.
A committee will review all submissions and award prizes. Some entries selected for publication will receive prizes.
Subjects need not relate to Washington, the Pacific Northwest or the United States.
The committee makes all decisions and all decisions are final.
Volunteers SGS is a member-driven, volunteer-run organization. We could not continue without the support of our members and the talents and dedication of our volunteers. Benefits of volunteering include camaraderie with fellow genealogists, sharing genealogical tips, enhancing your current skills, or discovering skills you never knew you had! But mostly meeting and working with other genealogists.
We are currently looking for people to fill SGS Board positions that remain open after the recent elections. Vice President and Director of Volunteers are now vacant and several positions will open up next year. You can volunteer now to assist a board member like Secretary, Treasurer, or Director of Membership to learn more. Serving on the board is a great way to connect in these times of limited public interaction.
We also need someone to communicate with and schedule Desk Volunteers now that the library is open to members and the public. The Desk Volunteer Coordinator can work from home and will have the opportunity to become acquainted with some of our most active members.
With our move to the Good Shepherd Center on the horizon, we need someone to coordinate our move volunteers – we already have a long list – for activities that will be scheduled by the Director of Operations. Serving as our Move Volunteer Coordinator will be a short-term, one-time commitment, expected to happen this Fall.
* SAVE THE DATE *The International German Genealogy Partnership presents, a “Researching Together Worldwide / Weltweit Gemeinsam Forschen”, the first ever International German Genealogy Virtual Conference, July 17-24, 2021
Is German genealogy one of your New Year’s resolutions for 2021? If so, be sure to mark your calendars for July 17-24, 2021. The IGGP Conference, which only takes place every two years, is your chance to take a deep dive into all things German genealogy – and learn from the experts themselves. This year, the conference will be virtual, which means you can tune in from anywhere in the world! https://iggp.org
SGS 2021 Fall Seminar – Online with Ari Wilkins Saturday, October 16, 2021, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Mark your calendars now for our all-day seminar!
Ari Wilkins is a genealogist and library associate at Dallas Public Library, where she provides genealogy-programming education. She specializes in African American genealogy and research, with a focus on North Carolina and Louisiana, and has been researching her family history since 1998. Ari worked with the esteemed genealogist, Dr. James Rose, on his project, “Generations: The WPA Ex-Slave Narrative Database.” She has spoken nationally at the National Genealogical Society, Federation of Genealogical Societies, RootsTech, Texas State Genealogical Society, Ohio Genealogical Society, the Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research, American Library Association, and at a multitude of local societies.
SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS*
The SGS Library is open Tuesdays and Saturdays, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, for computer-based research only. Visit the SGS Website for details. We recommend you plan your visit and call ahead – 206 522-8658.
** Always check the SGS Website Calendar of Events for the meeting links and for any last minute updates or changes to the schedule.
Wednesday, July 21, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.
Tuesday, July 27, 2021, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), back by popular demand, the informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary.
Wednesday, July 28, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.
Wednesday, Aug 4, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.
Tuesday, Aug 10, 2021, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), back by popular demand, the informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary.
Wednesday, Aug 11 , 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.
Wednesday, Aug 18, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.
Tuesday, Aug 24, 2021, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), back by popular demand, the informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary.
Wednesday, Aug 25, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.
MEMBERSHIP SGS members, did you remember to renew? If you have not done so, please take a few moments now to renew your SGS membership. It is our 98th year! When you renew online you can pay your dues with a credit/debit card right away, or print out your invoice and send it with your dues payment to SGS. Log in at Members Home, then go to your Member Profile and click the green “Renew Membership” button. If you have any questions, send an email to membership@seattlegenealogicalsociety.org. Not a member yet? Join online today and enjoy discounted class and event fees, free research requests, special interest groups, and access to exclusive SGS publications and databases, as well as video recordings of some of our past Second Saturday presentations. Find out more about membership at Join SGS.
TIP OF THE WEEK – FREE INTRODUCTION TO AFRICAN AMERICAN GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH Want a preview of the SGS Fall Seminar?
An introductory presentation by Ari Wilkins, sponsored by the Chemung County (NY) Library District, will discuss the methodology, challenges, and myths regarding African American genealogical research. It will be an overview of useful sources for researching people of African American ancestry.
Ari Wilkins is a genealogy professional and staff member at the Dallas Public Library. She specializes in African American research and will be the speaker for our SGS Fall Seminar.
The long wait is over! The Seattle Genealogical Society (SGS) library will be open on Tuesdays and Saturdays, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM, starting Saturday, July 3, 2021.
Since we are hard at work preparing to move our library this fall, the material in our stacks (e.g., books and journals) will not be accessible. However, the SGS computers and network will be available, allowing access to SGS subscription services like Newspapers.com and records through the Family Search Affiliate Library program. We encourage members and patrons to bring personal computers such as laptops or tablets rather than depend on SGS computer stations, which may be in high demand. Six work locations with “sneeze guards,” including two with computers, will be limited to 60 minutes at a time if others are waiting. Because resources are limited, we recommend calling ahead to inquire about expected wait time before traveling a long distance to get here. For the present, masks will be required and social distancing will be enforced. Group meetings will continue to be held virtually, at least until we complete the move to Good Shepherd.
Special thanks to all our members, family historians, and genealogists who waited so patiently for the library to open again.
“An immigrant boy carries luggage at Ellis Island,” photo of original by Mákvirág via Creative Commons
For well over a year, the world has battled the effects of COVID-19, including often severe economic challenges. In addition, floods, violent storms and forest fires have beset whole regions of the U.S. In many places, these have led to food insecurity or – globally – threat of famine. And violence toward people of color has catalyzed an unprecedented movement to understand and eliminate racial inequities.
Many of our ancestors faced some of these challenges as well – and they survived. What is your ancestor’s survival story? The Seattle Genealogical Society is holding its family history writing contest to support and encourage the writing of family history, local history, and memoirs, both by genealogists and the public at large.
Contest rules and deadlines:
Keep the word count under 3,000 and submit a MS Word document.
Cite your sources as end notes (interviews, letters, books, websites, censuses, etc.).
Unpublished works are preferred. If your story has been published before, ensure you have permission to republish. Let us know the name and date of publication.
A committee will review all submissions and award prizes. Some entries selected for publication will receive prices.
Subjects need not relate to Washington, the Pacific Northwest, or the United States.
The committee makes all decisions and all decisions are final.
Contact us at publications@seattlegenealogicalsociety.org if you have questions.
Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG), Virtual Fall 2021, Registration opens June 19, 2021
Billed as in-depth education in the comfort of your home, these virtual classes will begin this fall. There is far too much information to list here so see their website for all the details: https://slig.ugagenealogy.org/cpage.php?pt=611
The International German Genealogy Partnership presents,a “Researching Together Worldwide / Weltweit Gemeinsam Forschen”, the first ever International German Genealogy Virtual Conference, July 17-24, 2021
Is German genealogy one of your New Year’s resolutions for 2021? If so, be sure to mark your calendars for July 17-24, 2021. The IGGP Conference, which only takes place every two years, is your chance to take a deep dive into all things German genealogy – and learn from the experts themselves. This year, the conference will be virtual, which means you can tune in from anywhere in the world!
https://iggp.org
SGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS*
As of July 3, 2021, the SGS Library will be open Tuesdays and Saturdays, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, with limited resources, some restrictions, and a temporary schedule in effect. Visit the SGS Website for details. We recommend you plan your visit and call ahead – 206 522-8658. ** Always check the SGS Website Calendar of Events for the meeting links and for any last minute updates or changes to the schedule. Wednesday, July 7, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.
Sunday, July 11, 2021, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Scandinavian Interest Group, chaired by Karen Knudson, Share information and discuss Scandinavian ancestral research.
Tuesday, July 13, 2021, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), back by popular demand, the informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. Visit www.seagensoc.org Calendar of Events for the Zoom meeting link.
Wednesday, July 14, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.
Wednesday, July 14, 2021, 7:00 pm- 9:00 pm, MAC SIG Interest Group, Jointly sponsored by SGS and Fiske, this group meets every other month from October through June on the second Wednesday of the month. They decided to meet in July 2021. Meetings address topics and resources helpful for those using MacIntosh (Apple) computers and the Reunion program in their genealogy research.
The link to logon will be sent to the MAC SIG email list. People wishing to attend should email dhettrick@earthlink.net to be added to the mailing list.
Co-Chairs: Lisa Marker and Diane Hettrick
Wednesday, July 21, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.
Tuesday, July 27, 2021, 10:00 am-11:00 am, Tech Tuesday (Virtual), back by popular demand, the informal consultation time on DNA, genealogy software, or genealogy-related technical issues. All are welcome. No appointment necessary. Visit www.seagensoc.org Calendar of Events for the Zoom meeting link.
Wednesday, July 28, 2021, 10:00 am-11:30 am, Brags & Bricks Social Interest Group (Virtual), Join us for an informal social gathering. Share your recent genealogical successes and challenges, or just come to hang out with other genealogists.
MEMBERSHIP SGS members, did you remember to renew? If you have not done so, please take a few moments to renew your SGS membership. It is our 98th year! When you renew online you can pay your dues with a credit/debit card right away, or print out your invoice and send it with your dues payment to SGS. Log in at Members Home, then go to your Member Profile and click the green “Renew Membership” button. If you have never logged in before or have questions, send an email to membership@seattlegenealogicalsociety.org. Not a member yet? Join online today and enjoy a full year of discounted class and event fees, free research requests, special interest groups, and access to exclusive SGS publications and databases, as well as video recordings of some of our past Second Saturday presentations. Find out more about membership at Join SGS.
You are free to copy articles to any non-commercial web site or message board or printed publication you wish. Don’t bother to ask permission, just do it.
